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PMI CVC Chapter News

Chapter News July - August 2007

Practical PM Tips to Give You a Competitive Edge Fast

Check out the articles below on Project Management from Global Knowledge.

Four Steps to Building a PMO

Aligning PM Training with Strategic Business Objectives

How Did You Get That Out of What I Said?

Getting Better - Quality Assurance

Improving Your Presentation's Connection Ability

Jill Liles
Global Knowledge
Jill.Liles@globalknowledge.com

Cheetah Learning: The Know How Network.

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP

www.cheetahlearning.com

Avoid Scams: Look for the PMI REP logo

PMI Global Operations Center has been registering quality training providers for years. Now, more than ever, Project Managers need to know about the program to avoid falling victim to project management training scams.

There is a lot of money in training Project Managers to pass the PMP exam, the CAPM exam and providing PDUs for already-certified PMPs. We're a group of professionals with decent incomes determined to better our professional lives. No wonder scammers are setting their sites on this market to reap the benefits of this growing training field.

There are many training companies to choose from when you are looking to take a PMP Prep Course or to get some Professional Development Units (PDUs) to maintain your certification, but beware if you don't select a provider with the PMI REP logo (above), you could be falling for a scam. Victims of these scams could have their money taken and receive nothing in return, while others receive low-quality training that will not help them meet their career development needs.

As well as looking for the logo, PMI publishes REP information on their website so you can verify a provider is in good standing with PMI and not fraudulently using the logo. Here is a link to PMI's REP search engine: http://tel.occe.ou.edu/cgi-bin/PMI_Provider/repsearch.cgi.

How does PMI Global ensure the quality of their education providers? You can read all about the program on their website here: http://www.pmi.org/info/PDC_REPOverviewFile.asp?nav=0406.

All PMI Chapters are also REPs so the Certification Workshops and Professional Development Seminars we offer are registered with PMI and meet their quality standards. Not to mention, chapter events are a great value compared to for-profit training providers.

If you're seeking Project Management training, we hope you'll join us for an event, but if you do seek training outside the chapter, please look for the REP logo to avoid being taken advantage of.

Best Wishes in your Professional Development endeavors,
Christina Morgan, PMP
PMI CVC, President-Elect
president.elect@pmicvc.org

Quantico / Stafford Area Meeting Information

Project Management Colleagues,

L-3 Titan in Stafford, in cooperation with the Quantico Outreach of the Washington D.C. Chapter of the Project Management Institute, is pleased to offer project management toolkit sessions on the third Wednesday of each month. Sessions are held in the Executive Conference Room at the L-3 Titan building in Stafford. Due to scheduling conflicts, the July session will be right next to the Executive Conference Room in room 203. Bring your own lunch (a variety of snacks and beverages are available for 50 cents each).

These sessions are open to any L-3 employees, customers and colleagues interested in project management…varying topics as scheduled below:

18-Jul-2007 Excel Spreadsheet Tools -- In Conference Room 203
15-Aug-2007 PowerPoint Tools
19-Sep-2007 SharePoint > TIGER > TOPIC Tools
17-Oct-2007 Google Services search and collaboration tools
21-Nov-2007 Cost Estimating Tools and Techniques
19-Dec-2007 Risk Management Techniques
16-Jan-2008 Time Management Techniques
20-Feb-2008 Quality Management Techniques
19-Mar-2008 Earned Value Management Techniques
16-Apr-2008 Communications Planning Techniques
21-May-2008 Contracting Techniques

Each session will be facilitated by one of L-3 Titan's certified Project Management Professionals. Those attending the sessions are eligible to claim one professional development unit (Category 4 PDU) credit for each session toward PMI continuing education requirements.

Sessions offer the opportunity for folks to share their favorite insights for using the tools and techniques listed above in the conduct of project management. Whether you are a novice or an expert in any of these areas, please come to share and learn. A computer with the Microsoft application tools listed above will be set up for projection in the conference room for demonstration purposes. Bring examples of your past work and share your successes and failures -- lessons learned -- with others. Intent is for participants to participate!

Thanks,
Eric
(540) 658-9454
Eric.H.Carlson@L-3com.com

Portfolio Management Office Local Interest Group Kick Off Meeting Notes

INTRODUCTION: On Monday, June 25, 2007 the PMO CVC LIG had our kickoff meeting. Over thirty persons attended. After a brief set of introductions:

PRESENTATIONS:

Sharon Robbins, MBB, PMP, Records Management Leader at Genworth Financial & our current PMI CVC Chapter President, presented a Best Practices Overview that included: Rising to the Challenge, Up-Front Early/Value Triage, Expertise-Aligned Stage Gates and Benefits Realization Framework.

Then, we conducted a Q&A Session on Best Practices. The panel included:

• Robert Berlin, PMP, Past President PMI CVC, Contractor
• Jack Crowley, PMP, Contractor
• Amanda Ingle, Dominion Project Services

REVIEW: We reviewed our Vision, Mission & Objectives; there were no changes. The crux of this group is to have the participants, share experiences, wisdom and tools (after scrubbing sensitive information out) with others.

LOOKING FOR PRESENTERS: In the spirit of sharing knowledge and tools, we are looking for presenters on the topics listed below. If you are interested in being a presenter, please email pmocvclig@googlegroups.com with “Presentation Offer: subject name” in the Subject Line.

FUTURE TOPICS: After a brief Q&A, we conducted a poll as to what topics would be of interest. Based on the vote, we have prioritized our presentations for the balance of this year and early into 2008. We may re-poll later this year to validate importance/interest in topics. Future topics include:

2007

• July 23rd : PMO Anatomy (PMO Organization, Roles, Responsibilities, Where should it live)
• August 27th: PMO Governance
• September 24th: The Genesis of a PMO (Case Study)
• October 22nd :The Development and Management of PMO Processes
• November 26th : Resource Management
• December: No Meeting

2008

• January 28th : Project/Program Career Path Development and Management
• February 25th : Program Management
• March 24th : Project Management
• April 28th: Achieving Buy-In and Support for PMO

LOOKING FOR LEADERS: As with all volunteer organizations, we are looking for folks who can pick up leadership roles: Program Chair, Logistics Chair, Communication Chair and Chairperson. Responsibility descriptions may be found on our Google site PMOCVCLIG, May 14th PMO LIG Meeting.ppt If you are interested in a leadership role, please email pmocvclig@googlegroups.com with “Leadership Offer: role name” in the Subject Line.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All presentations and notes may be accessed at our Google Group Site PMOCVCLIG. If you wish to join the Google PMO CVC LIG:

1. Create a Google account

2. Send an email to pmocvclig@googlegroups.com with the subject: Request Membership

3. When: Our meetings occur on the 4th Monday of the Month, 6-8pm.

4. Where: Markel Re Building, Salon A (on the left as you walk in), 4501 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen (the Markel building with the flag poles in front) Google Map.

5. This is an informal group. There are no fees, hence no food! It is BYO.

6. We are looking to offer PDUs for attending these meetings – more to come TBD.

Thanks,
Jack